12.1.12

Cochlear Implants

Ladybug's hearing loss has been a progressive loss. She passed the newborn screening test. It wasn't until a year in a half later, when she was re-tested, that the doctors became concerned. It appeared that Ladybug had a sensorineural hearing loss and it was progressive. This could be a result of many reasons. We know from genetic testing, that her hearing loss is not genetic. We do know, being an extremely small premature infant comes with many risk factors. One of which is vision and hearing loss.



It was right after her second birthday she was fitted with her first pair of phonak hearing aids. She loves her hearing aids. In the morning, if we do not put them in right away, she will ask for her "ears." The hearing aids help amplify the sounds she can hear. But because of her severe to profound hearing loss, there are some sounds she is just not picking up. Most of them are in the high frequency range. Here is a demo of what hearing loss sounds like.




It appeared this fall during a typical audiological and ENT appointment, that Ladybug's hearing was becoming progressively worse. Her doctor at UNC wanted for us to come back in three months. It was at this latest appointment her doctor informed us, he would recommend a cochlear implant for her right ear.

We are in the process of taking this information and doing some research on children who have one cochlear implant along with one hearing aid. If Ladybug had an implant, she would be hearing naturally with amplification in one ear and unnaturally but with the sound field she is missing in the other. We want to make the best decision for her. We understand that making the decision sooner then later, will only benefit her, if we feel that it's the right thing for her at this time.

Any advise from parents of children who have had both a cochlear implant and a hearing aid would be greatly appreciated.

9.1.12

Happy Birthday Baby Girl

Our daughter turned FOUR on January 8, 2012.

It's hard to believe.

I teared up yesterday as we were looking through pictures of her birth and after seeing this one, Ladybug pointed to Nathan's hand and said, Jesus. I suppose she thought it was Jesus holding her hand and after seeing all the events that took place four years ago, He sure was. We are so proud of our little miracle girl and how far she has come.



Our baby girl at 1 pound, 6 ounce: tough, a fighter, determined.


Now, a sweet & loving little girl who weighs 27 pounds. She enjoys giving great bear hugs and loves to hang from objects like a monkey. She loves to draw, talk, and play. Her favorite characters are Diego, The Little Mermaid, and Woody. She loves her daddy!




“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.”
Mother Teresa